i 11th Dec 2011
Christmas 2010
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North Korean state-run website Uriminzokkiri threatens retaliation if the Christmas tree structure (now joined by two others) is lit on 23rd December as planned. Christmas celebrations are forbidden north of the ‘bamboo curtain’ and the government accuses the South of “psychological warfare through the gambit of lighting the towers.” The North threatens “unintended consequences” and a “sea of fire” if its neighbours go ahead with their illuminations.
FF O
19th Dec 2011
The South Korean government allows a Christian group to turn on thousands of lights on a 30-metre-high Christmas tree-shaped iron structure topped by a giant cross on a hill near the Demilitarised Zone, where it is visible from the major North Korean city of Kaesong.
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It is announced that Kim Jong-Il, the Dear Leader of North Korea, has died. As a gesture of conciliation during the mourning period, South Korean Unification Minister Yu Woo-Ik bans the lighting of the Christmas tree towers.
f1905-1945
Under the Japanese occupation of Korea, many Christians are executed for refusing to take part in emperorworship, leading to a strong identification between Christianity and Korean nationalism. After the Korean War and the division of the country, South Korea develops the largest Christian population by percentage in Asia.
KOREA
1889
2nd Sep 1866
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The General Sherman is attacked and destroyed by the Korean army near Pyongyang. Thomas grabs his Bibles, jumps over the side of the boat and wades to the shore where he hands them to the screaming crowd while shouting “Jesus, Jesus”. He is killed. As Christianity starts to grow in Korea, many of the early members of the church use Bibles received from Thomas, who is seen as a martyr.
1884
The first US missionaries start to land in Korea: hundreds of them will arrive in the following 20 years.
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IB B EL
USS GEN
ERAL SHE RMAN
BIBLE
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US President Benjamin Harrison unveils the first Christmas tree in the White House. The tradition becomes adopted across the States.
BIBLE
1882 1882
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Korea and the US conclude a Treaty of Amity and Trade, which includes provisions for the protection of missionaries.
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Edward H Johnson, president of the Edison Electric Illuminating Company of New York, creates the first Christmas tree lights and places them on a rotating tree, moved by an Edison dynamo. The illuminated tree is reported across the globe.